Beginning : Departure

"Wait, Leaf! Let's check out our Pokemon!" He called out and started walking towards me. "Come on! I'll take you on!"

Before I could answer Green already sent out his Squirtle. Well it's inevitable I guess. I'll just battle using my new partner.

"Oh, for Pete's sate…So pushy, as always." Professor Oak sighed and shook his slightly. "Leaf, you've never had a Pokemon battle before, have you?"

"Um…well no." I said hesitantly.

"A Pokemon battle is where trainers pit their Pokemon against each other." He then started to explain the rules of battling to me. "You'll learn more from experience. Try battling and see for yourself."

I then turned to Green who was impatiently waiting for me to make my first move. I'm not quite so sure what to do in this situation…should I attack or battle or strategically? I looked down at my Charmander who seems to be quite eager to show off his moves. Hmm alright then I'll start off with a growl to lower his Squirtle's attack power. I smirked at Green and then strongly pointed my finger at his turtle.

"Alright, Charmader use growl to lower his attack." I instructed. Charmander then unleashed a cute little growl…well to me it didn't seem that intimidating but I could see Green's Squirtle taken aback a little.

"Hmph. Squirtle use tail whip." Green commanded. "Lower that things defense points."

"Fine! Go tackle attack!" I yelled as Charmander ran towards Squirtle and crashed into him. Squirtle stumbled backwards and then tackled back under Green's order.

The battle went on like that the next few minutes…it was actually quite repetitive seeing as our Pokemon only knew two moves each.

"Okay Charmander! Finish him off." I yelled. "Go! Tackle!"

In a matter of seconds Squirtle fell on his shell and fainted. Charmander jumped up and down with pride. It seems that he has leveled up.

"What? Unbelievable!" Green complained angrily. "I picked the wrong Pokemon!"

"I can't believe it…my first battle ever and I won!" I smiled excitedly. "That was so much fun."

"Hm! Excellent! If you win, you earn prize money, and your Pokemon will grow!" Professor Oak praised. "Battle other trainers and make your Pokemon strong!"

"Okay! I'll make my Pokemon battle to toughen it up!" Green exclaimed to me and started to walk towards the door. "Leaf! Gramps! Smell you later!"

Hmmm…Green seems a little odd today. I wonder what's up with him. Why is he acting like some arrogant little kid who's pretending to be an adult? This is weird. It's probably because he's so psyched about getting a Pokemon…yeah that must be it. Geez, was he so excited that it would've affected him this much? Maybe I should go say something…I quickly followed Green out the door but he was already gone. Where did he go? I quickly ran towards the entrance of the town but he wasn't there…did he wander to the neighbouring city? I decided to leave the town and advance towards the next city. Along the way I battled many wild Pokemon to level up my Charmander, it was quite annoying because at times I had to return home to heal him. After a while I finally made it to the next town…no sign of Green. I thought of pressing on but this old man was blocking my path and he wouldn't get off…apparently he hasn't had his coffee yet. He forbid me from passing through his property. He was just an old man. I could have easily walked past him or sidled across but somehow that option was physically impossible at the time…I then decided to go to the check out the Pokemart. As soon as I entered the clerk noticed that I was an acquaintance of Professor Oak…somehow.

"His order came in. Can I get you to take it to him?" He requested (but it was kind of unavoidable) and shoved the parcel onto me.

"Um…sure thing." I smiled as I exited the store. "Guess Green can wait."

I made my way back to Pallet Town. I wonder what's in this parcel…I hope there's nothing illegal in this. What if I get caught holding some prohibited content? Oh god…let's just hope this is filled with nothing but gadgets for his research. As I reached Pallet I headed to the Lab first to give the parcel to the Professor. I pulled it out of my bag and showed it to him.

"What's that? You have something for me?" He looked at the package in my hands. "Ah! It's the custom Poke Ball. I had it on order. Thank you."

"Gramps!" A familiar and not to mention slightly conceited voice called out. Green quickly walked to the end of the room and stood next to me. So he was here all along? "I almost forgot. What did you call me for?"

"Oh, right! I have a request for you two. On the desk there is my invention the Pokedex." Professor Oak walked over to his desk and picked up two red devices. He goes on to explain how it works and tells us to take them with us on our journeys. He handed me the Pokedex and 5 Poke balls.

"Oh thank you." I said as I took them out of his hand. He then starts to talk about his dream and his old age…not that I cared. Then he requested me to fulfill his dream for him…no he told me to 'get moving'. He's basically forcing the job on me. Letting someone as young as us to travel by ourselves around the region…isn't this a little irresponsible? I mean how can I possibly fend for myself when I've been trapped here for all of my life. It's like throwing a puppy into the ocean and expecting it to swim…

"All right, Gramps! Leave it all to me!" Green said with determination and then complacently turned towards me with a grin on his face. "Leaf, I hate to say it, but you won't be necessary for this."

"What was that?" My eye twitched in irritation.

"I know! I'll borrow a Town Map from my sis. I'll tell her not to lend you one, Leaf! Hahaha!" Green perked up with arrogance. "Don't bother coming around to my place after this!"

"There he goes…" I sighed as I watched Green walk smugly out of the lab. Who does he think he is?

Just because he provoked me I'm going to go to his house anyway! I quickly exited the lab and ran towards Green's house. As I was about to open the door I see him walk out of the town, he's fast! I quickly opened the door and ran in towards Daisy. She looked peaceful as always; drinking her tea and looking at her map…MAP!

"Oh, Leaf. I was expecting you." She faced me and then smiled.

"Expecting?" I questioned.

"Nevermind." She beckoned me over to the table. "So…Grandpa asked you to run an errand?"

"Errand…I guess you could say that…" I mumbled while trying to force a smile.

"Gee, that's lazy of him. Here, this will help you." Daisy then lifted the map off the table and gave it to me.

"…Oh thank you…um." I started to stammer a bit. "Didn't Green ask you not to give this to me?"

"Hm? Well initially." She answered. "But after I told him poor little you, a cute girl, would be helpless in the dangerous world without a map…he changed his mind."

"R-really?" I blushed a little. "He did?"

"Why of course. My little brother wouldn't put someone as precious as you in danger." Daisy smiled. "Well good luck on your journey."

"Yes. Thank you very much!" I beamed genuinely as I left the house.

Just you wait Green! I'll catch up to you in no time!